Dr. Kurt Hahn
Oxford University alumni and the founder of Outward Bound, the first United World College and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

DR. KURT HAHN

Founder, Outward Bound

Eccentric, charismatic, educator...there are several words used to describe Dr. Hahn, born into a cultured Jewish industrialist family in Germany in 1886. He believed that education was about developing character and real, hands-on, practical challenges was one of the best ways to achieve that.

​"There is more in you than you think” was an inscription found on the wall of a family home in Belgium before World War II. It became central to his philosophy: that each of us has more courage, more strength and more compassion than we would ever have fathomed.

​Kurt Hahn’s calling in life was to help people around the world realize this truth about themselves. We hope you find similar inspiration here.​

​COL. NARINDER KUMAR, Founder, OBH

In India, Outward Bound was established in 2005 by Col. Narinder 'Bull' Kumar - India's most celebrated solider-mountaineer who first planted the India flag on the Siachen Glacier in 1981.

Outward Bound India - Himalaya is a not-for-profit organization headquartered in New Delhi. Its Founder and Managing Director, Bull Kumar is actively involved as mentor and guide and the organization is ably managed by a young team of professionals.

​When Outward Bound International approached Bull Kumar to help bring the idea of experiential learning to India, the Colonel didn't hesitate for a second. With almost 39% of India's youth between the ages of 10 and 30 years, he understood the dire need for such a program - one that would teach collaboration and competition, diversity and inclusion, service and compassion and above all the ability to handle success and failure - all through wilderness and adventure experiences.

Vertical Divider

​I was the Deputy Leader of the first successful Indian Everest expedition in 1965, the first Indian to scale Nanda Devi, and the first climber to successfully climb Kangchenjunga from the toughest north-east spur. Of the 13 highest peaks above 24,000 ft. climbed by Indians, nine have been climbed under my leadership.

I planted the India flag on the Siachen Glacier in 1981 – and am perhaps the only living solider after whom a post has been named – Kumar Post at the Siachen Glacier.

None of this would ever have been possible if I had been tied to my desk.

What is the concept of Outward Bound?

​When a ship leaves the safety of its harbour for the challenges of the open seas, she is said to be Outward Bound.

Similarly, when young people leave the comfort of their homes and workplaces to venture into unfamiliar territory, or when they change their usual way of thinking and adapt to new ideas, they are said to be Outward Bound.

The basic proposition of Outward Bound is that people can grow through challenges, and this program helps people to head out bravely into unknown waters.

Our India Mission

To help people discover and develop their potential to care for themselves, others, and the world around them through challenging experiences in unfamiliar settings.

To achieve this Mission, we work with OBH participants on several different fronts: